Ferries Given A Makeover

State Hopes Tourists Will Be Impressed

SURRY — With a little spit and polish, the Virginia Department of Transportation showed off some cosmetic touches Thursday designed to improve the tourism image of the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry.

During a brief press conference aboard the ferry Williamsburg, crew members lined up for a military-like inspection displaying their new nautical-style uniforms.

In addition to the uniforms, designed to give crews a more professional appearance, the two main ferries were equipped with videocassette recorders and monitors that will show a 15-minute tape touting Virginia tourism. The boats have been outfitted with racks holding maps and pamphlets, and officials said the ferries will also be painted more frequently to maintain their appearance.

The changes, which cost about $20,000, resulted from a bill passed by the General Assembly to enhance the role of the ferry system as a tourist attraction.

Capt. R.F. Shaffer, senior ferry pilot, said the changes would make the oft-criticized ferry service more attractive to tourists.

But some commuters who have complained of long waits at the ferries probably won't be satisfied with the changes.

"Some people want a bridge," Shaffer said. "That's the only thing that will satisfy them. They don't realize then that when they're late for work they won't have an excuse."

VDOT is conducting a study into the feasibility of building a bridge between Scotland Wharf and Jamestown. Another study recommended adding three new ferries, at a total cost of $24 million. However, officials were pessimistic about the chances of coming up with funding.

The resolution that brought about the changes announced Thursday also called for postal service, vending machines and coin-operated telescopes aboard the boats. But no vending machines have been found that can fit through the narrow stairwells on the boats. The U.S. Postal Service couldn't provide mail service aboard the boats, and no vendors were interested in installing telescopes.

A plan to sell souvenirs on the boats was dropped because it would have competed with local businesses.

Shaffer said the uniforms have already improved crew morale. They feature blue pants and light blue shirts with VDOT patches on the shoulders and crossed anchors on the collars for deckhands and white uniforms with white caps for the captain. "We just wanted something that looked nautical and at the same time professional," he said.

Before, crew members wore blue pants and orange shirts and captains didn't have any particular uniform. Howard Carter, a deckhand who has worked on the ferries 2 1/2 years, agreed the uniforms have improved crew morale and the public's view of the crew.

"I love them," he said. "They look more professional, all of us agreed."